Mark Anthony Pickar, 32, was one of three men aboard a white twin-engine Cessna 421C (tail number N800DD) that departed Juneau, Alaska, on July 29, 1995, en route to King Salmon. The flight encountered trouble about 20 miles northwest of Middleton Island when the pilot reported the right engine had come apart and attempted an emergency landing on the remote island. The aircraft steadily lost altitude and the last radar contact came at 11:45 AM after the plane had flown past Middleton Island to the southeast.

Search crews observed an oil slick, bubbles, and debris about three miles south of Middleton Island Airport, but the main wreckage was never found. One occupant’s body was recovered; Mark Pickar and the other passenger were not located. The NTSB later concluded the probable cause was a loss of engine power for unknown reasons, followed by a collision with the water. Anyone who was near Middleton Island or flying in the Gulf of Alaska that morning, or who has information about the flight, is asked to come forward.